Well tool



April 21, 1959 w. M. SWINK I WELL TOOL.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 28. 1953 W////am M. Jw/nk v IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNE Y April 21, 1959 i swlNK 2,882,832

WELL TOOL Filed July 28, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wrll/am M Jwmk INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY April 21, 1959 w, sw 2,882,832

WELL TOOL.

Filed July 28, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

BY w.

W////am JwM/r A TTORNE Y 4 0 b mm 3 M April 21, 1959 SWlNK .WELL TOOL 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 28. 1953 IN V EN TOR.

BY w.

ATTOKNE Y United WELL TOOL William Monroe Swink, Houston, Tex.; Ethel Fern Swink, legatee of said William Monroe Swink, deceased This invention relates to a well tool construction for anchoring devices in a pipe coupling in a string of pipe in a well.

It is at times desirable to locate or position various tools or devices at selected locations in the tubing or casing string of pipe in a well bore. In some instances it may be desirable to leave these tools so positioned for the life of the well, while in other cases the tools may be inserted for a particular purpose and then removed. At any event, it is desirable to provide an arrangement whereby the tools, regardless of nature, cannot only be located at a selected positionif desired, but they should be readily removable for replacement of worn or damaged parts or for periodic inspection.

The present invention is directed, in part, to an anchoring construction, or tool, which can be used for positioning a tool in a well bore at any desired location, but which can be readily and easily removed when so desired.

A disadvantage with present type removable gas lift mechanisms is that a special fitting must be provided to seat the valve in the pipe string. Such fittings greatly increase the cost of a gas lift producing operation, since they are integral parts of the tubing string they must be positioned therein when the string is originally placed in the well or the string of well pipe must be pulled and the fittings installed when the well is placed on artificial lift. The latter procedure entails the use of a workover rig in order to pull the well pipe and place the fittings thereon which is, of course, expensive and time consuming.

The present invention is therefore directed to a combination anchoring construction and gas lift mechanism wherein any desired number of gas lift valves may be readily and easily positioned in a string of pipe in a well bore without the necessity of providing a special fitting in the pipe string.

The invention is also directed to a novel construction for eliminating the cutting action due to the flow of fluids through a perforation in a well pipe. At the present time after the well has been drilled and pipe placed therein, it is necessary to perforate the casing so that the well fluid can pass from the formation into the casing. In some instances, the tubing string positioned within the casing is also perforated so that the well fluids may pass inwardly therethrough and be conducted to the surface by any suit able means well known in the art. Several types of perforations are carried out to accomplish the above purpose, including shooting projectiles or shaped charges through the pipe or positioning flow buttons or orifice members in the pipe to form a passage for the entry of well fluid.

It has been discovered that well fluids passing through these openings often tend to cut an opening in the wall or surface of the tubing or casing opposite such opening. When this occurs, then, of course, it is necessary to replace the tubing stting or at least to plug up the opening that has been cut out in order to properly carry out the flow of fluids through the tubing.

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Also, when the well is shut in and is washed or treated in some other manner, the reverse flow of fluids through the opening in the tubing tends to cut out the Wall of the casing opposite such opening.

The present invention lends itself quite well to providing a tool which can be positioned in a string of pipe at any desired location and can be arranged to receive the flow of fluid from an opening and discharge it either into the tubing and casing in such a manner so as to eliminate cutting of the opposite wall face of the well pipe.

Further the invention contemplates a packer tool construction and anchoring mechanism therefor whereby such packer may be readily positioned in a pipe string so as to isolate a perforation or a perforate pipe section while not interfering with the flow of well fluids upwardly through said pipe and tool.

Anobject of the invention is to provide a well tool which can be readily positioned relative to a coupling in a string of pipe in a well bore.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a well anchor having means which is maintained in retracted position, relative to its seating position in the pipe, as the tool is lowered into the well, but which is moved outwardly of the tool at a predetermined time whereby the tool may be positioned in such pipe.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a well tool which can be readily positioned adjacent a coupling in a string of pipe in a well bore, said tool being readily removable from the well string.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a well tool having means therein for engaging in a recess in a string of pipe to prevent further downward movement of the tool relative to the recess, and additional means for engaging in the recess in the string of pipe for pre venting upward movement of the tool in the pipe relative to the recess.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a Well tool having means therein for engaging in a recess in a string of pipe to prevent further downward movement of the tool, and additional means for engaging in the recess in the string of pipe for preventing upward movement of the tool in the pipe relative to the recess, said last-mentioned means being releasable at a predetermined time whereby the tool may be removed from the Well string.

Yet, a further object of the invention is to provide a well anchor having a body, means therein movable outwardly of said body for engaging in a recess in an adjacent well pipe, resilient means normally urging said means outwardly of said body, and additional means for maintaining said first-mentioned means in retracted position in said body until a predetermined time.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a well anchor having a body, means therein movable relative to said body for engaging in a recess in an adjacent well pipe, resilient means normally urging said means outwardly of said body, and additional means for maintaining said first-mentioned means in retracted position in said body until a predetermined time.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a well tool including a housing, a finger projecting downwardly and outwardly therefrom for engaging and positioning the housing adjacent a coupling in a well string, and a second finger mounted on said body and projecting upwardly and outwardly thereof and also engaging in the coupling to help position said housing adjacent the coupling.

A further object of the invention is to provide a well tool including a housing, a finger projecting downwardly and outwardly therefrom for engaging and positioning the housing adjacent a coupling in a well string, and a second finger mounted on said body and projecting upwardly and outwardly thereof and also engaging in the coupling to help position said housing adjacent the coupling, and resilient means for urging each of said finger means to seating position insaid pipe coupling.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a housing with anchor means thereon for seating relative to a pipe coupling in a well pipe and valve means connected to said housing whereby gas may be supplied to the well pipe through said housing and connected valve means for aiding in lifting well fluids in said well pipe.

Another object is to provide a means of reinovably anchoring a gas lift valve in a tubing string without providing any special fitting for seating said valve in the tubing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a housing with means for positioning said housing in a pipe coupling in a well pipe and passage means through said housing for well fluids andadditionalpassage means in said housing for injecting gas to said Well pipe to flow the well fluids in the pipe.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device for conducting well fluids through an opening in a well pipe so as to eliminate cutting out of the wall of the well pipe opposite the perforation.

Yet, a further object of the invention is to provide a device for controlling fluid flow through an opening in a well pipe so as to eliminate cutting of the wall of the well pipe opposite the opening, said device including means to anchor it adjacent the opening in the well pipe, at ported fitting on said device to receive the flow of fluids from the opening and direct it up through said device to eliminate cutting of the opposite wall of the well pipe.

Another object is to provide a hollow sleeve in a well pipe for receiving well fluids from an opening in the pipe and conducting it upwardly through the sleeve to eliminate cutting of the wall of the well pipe opposite the opening.

Another object of the invention is to provide a housing, means for anchoring said housing in a pipe coupling of a well pipe and packer means on said housing for forming spaced seals with said well pipe, there being passage means in said housing for communicating with said well pipe above and below said spaced seal.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a well packer for sealing ofi a perforation in the pipe, said packer being mounted on a housing with pipe coupling engaging means thereon for positioning said packer relative to the coupling and there being passage means in said housing for communicating the well pipe above and below the packer.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from a consideration of the following description and drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view of a pip-e string or tubing showing such tubing mounted ina casing with one form of the invention anchored in a coupling recess adjacent a worn out or damaged gas lift valve;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View of a pipe string or tubing showing a plurality of gas lift valves anchored at desired elevations in the pipe string.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the gas lift and anchoring means in one embodiment;

Fig. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the gas lift and anchoring means and also illustrates a form of the invention for inhibiting cutting of a well pipe opposite a perforation;

Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the anchoring mechanism and shows such mechanism actuated whereby the members are positioned in the coupling recess; the figure also illustrates the invention as utilized for packing 0E a portion of the well pipe; Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing in detail an embodiment of the anchoring mechanism in the position it assumes as the tool is being lowered in the Well pipe;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view partly in elevation illustrating an alternate modification of the anchoring mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a partial vertical sectional view illustrating the mechanism of Fig. 8 as it is about to be actuated;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view showing the embodiment of Fig. 8 in actuated position;

Fig. 11 is a partial vertical sectional view showing how the tool is removed from the well string; and

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

One form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 8 through 12 inclusive, and reference is first made to such form wherein the well anchor assembly or tool is denoted generally by the numeral 1, and includes the body or housing 2 which is of a suitable size so that it can be lowered into well pipe. The lower end 3 of the body may be cut away or slotted as indicated at 6 for receiving the operating mechanism of the anchor assembly. A finger or member 4 is pivotally mounted in the downward extensions 5 of the body and a restraining or retaining member 7 is mounted adjacent the finger 4 and while engaged with the finger or member maintains it in retracted position relative to its engaging position in the coupling recess 24 formed between ends of the pipes 19 and 20 which are threaded into coupling 20'.

A key 7' extending between the extensions 5' of the body engages in keyway 8 of member 7, which key and keyway cooperate to guide the member 7 after it has been disengaged from the member 4, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

A shear pin 11 engaged through the extensions 5 and member 7 acts to retain such member in the position illustrated in Fig. 8 as the tool is being lowered in the well pipe.

Resilient means 8', illustrated as being in the form of leaf springs are mounted in any suitable fashion on the tool and engage the member 4 so as to exert a force thereagainst tending to move the member 4 outwardly through the cut-out portion 6 formed between the downward extensions 5'.

The finger 4 is shown as extending downwardly and, of course, is continually urged outwardly relative to its sealing position in the pipe string, but is retained from engagement in the recess 24 in the string of well pipe by the member 7, until a predetermined time.

A second member 14 is mounted in the cut-out 6 in the lower end of the tool and extends upwardly relative to the body of the tool or in an opposite direction relative to the first-mentioned member 4. This member is urged toward seating position in the pipe or coupling recess 24 by resilient means such as leaf springs 8', and is shown as mounted on the body of the tool by means of the shear pin 15 and the cooperating key 16 and keyway 17 which are similar to the previously described key and keyway in member 7 The shear pin acts as :a pivot point for the finger 14 and there is enough clearance between the keyway 17 and the key 16 whereby spring means 8', in abutting such finger, tends to move it into proper seating position in the coupling recess 24 as shown in the drawings and to be more fully described hereinafter.

Suitable flow passages or openings 30 may be arranged through body 2 and are shown as extending longitudinally therethrough and communicate with the second openings or passages 18 in the lower end 3 of the body whereby well fluids in the tubing or pipe string 20 below the tool may be passed therethrough and upwardly so as to communicate with pipe 19 above the tool. The flow ports may, in some instances, be eliminated depending upon the use to which the well anchor is to be put.

In operation of the well anchor, it is lowered downwardly through the well pipe 20 as illustrated in Fig. 8. The retaining means 7 prevents the member 4 from pro jecting into the recess 24 of the pipe string 20" as the tool is lowered through the well pipe. Due to the clearance between the key and keyway 16 and 17 of pin 14, the spring means 8' pivots such finger or member about the shear pin 15 so that it may ride against the inner surface of the well pipe as illustrated at 21.

The tool may be positioned adjacent a coupling in the well pipe, or it may be positioned adjacent a milled or recessed portion in the string of pipe or it may be positioned adjacent an obstruction which forms a shoulder or recess in the well pipe. At any event, when the well anchor has reached the desired depth in the well pipe, an upward pull on the tool engages the tip 22 of the retaining means 7 with the shoulder 23 formed on the end of the pipe in the coupling recess 24. Continued upward movement shears pin 11 in member 7 whereby the retaining means falls downwardly in the tool as illustrated in Figs. and 11. When this occurs, spring means 8' moves the finger or member 4 outwardly through opening 6 and into the coupling recess 24 so that further downward movement of the well anchor is prevented since the finger will contact shoulder 23' on the end of the pipe in the coupling recess 24. Resilient means 8' urges the second finger 14 outwardly through the opposite side of opening 6 and into the coupling recess 24 on the opposite side of the tool thereby positioning the well anchor within the well pipe. Further downward movement is prevented by the member 4 and upward movement of the tool is prevented by the oppositely extending member 14.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 37, inclusive, of the invention. In this form of the invention members 4 and 14 may be arranged in substantially the same manner as previously discussed and resilient means 8 are provided for tending to urge each of such members into positioning engagement in the coupling recess 24 of the well pipe. Similarly, a keyway 17 in member 14 cooperates with key 16 and shear pin in the proper action and functioning of such member, both in positioning and releasing of the member in the coupling recess 24.

Shear pin 11 is connected through member 4 and serves to restrain such member from being moved into position in the coupling recess 24 until such pin has been sheared. Projection 6' mounted on pivot pin 7" abuts member 4 and is adapted to shear pin 11 when such projection is engaged on the end 23 of the pipe in coupling recess and an upward pull exerted on the tool. This pivots projection 6' about pivot 7" and causes a force to be applied against member 4 so as to shear pin 11. Spring 11 then moves projection 6' to the position as illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawing and resilient means 8' urges member 4 into coupling recess so as to position the tool in the well pipe. Resilient means 8 also urges member 14 into the coupling recess 24 thereby further aiding in positioning the tool relative to the pipe coupling When it is desired to remove the well anchor from the well, a fishing tool may be engaged with a fishing neck formed on the well anchor and an upward pull exerted thereon. This shears pin 15 and releases finger 14 so that it may slide downwardly on the key 16 or it may rotate about such key so as to assume an inactive position in the tool as illustrated in dotted line at 25, Fig. 11. The well anchor may then be removed from the pipe.

It should be noted that as the well anchor is lowered into the well pipe, the member 14 will ratchet through the various coupling recesses, in the pipe and similarly the finger 4 will ratchet through the coupling recess as the tool is removed from the pipe.

It seems obvious from the foregoing that the Well anchor portion of the present invention may be directed to any number of uses where it is desired to position a tool within a well pipe at a predetermined level.

Figs. 4 and 10 illustrate another embodiment of the well tool. As previously mentioned, the cutting action of the flow of fluids through an opening in the well pipe such as that illustrated at 27 is such that it is not uncommon to cut a hole in the opposite wall area as designated by 28. When this occurs, it then becomes necessary to replace the damaged portion of tubing or casing, or at least plug up the cut-out hole.

The present invention also contemplates a construction which receives fluid from the opening or perforation 27 and conduct it into the tubing in such a manner so as to eliminate this cutting action.

Attention is directed to Figs. 4 and 10 of the drawings wherein a sleeve 29 is mounted on the upper part of and, which for all practical purposes is but an extension of the well anchor body 2, such sleeve and body being hollowed or provided with an opening as indicated at 30 which terminate in the second openings 18 in the lower end 3 of anchor body 2. The fishing neck 76 is provided with passage 76' which communicates with opening 30 for receiving well fluids from below the well anchor and communicates the pipe string 20 below the tool with the pipe 19 above the tool.

The form of the invention illustrated in the drawings is shown as being provided with spaced packing means 50 and 51. This packing means can be of any suitable type and it has been found that annular cup type packing serves the purpose quite well. The packing may be mounted on the body of the tool in any conventional manner.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 10, a packer 52 is mounted on the body above the openings 18 and forms a seal between the body and well pipe so as to seal off the lower part of the tubing below the anchor assembly from that part of the pipe string or tubing having the opening or perforation 27 therein. In this manner well fluids are conducted through opening 18 of the lower end 3 of body 2 and into the opening 30 of sleeve or extension 29 of body 2.

Packers 53 and 54 are mounted so as to seal between the body and well pipe adjacent the perforation 27, whereby all fluids entering the perforate section of the well pipe are conducted into the passage 30 in sleeve 29 by means of the ported fitting 31 which intersects open- 1ng 30 and which fitting may be mounted on the sleeve 29. In other words, the perforate section of the well pipe communicates with the opening in the anchor tool body by means of a passage which intersects such body opening.

Also, a packer 55 may be provided so as to seal off that portion of the tubing thereabove from the section of the tubing sealed ofl by packers 53 and 54.

The fitting 31 may be of any suitable size and configuration and is mounted on the sleeve 29 which forms the upper extension of the anchor body 1. Preferably the fitting fits within the opening 30 of the sleeve or may be mounted in a recess in the sleeve so as to make the tool of a suitable size and configuration for easy passage through a well pipe without the danger of sticking.

The fitting 31 is shown as extending upwardly into the opening 30 of the sleeve and if desired may be provided with suitable choke openings 32 of a desired size at the 1nner and outer ends 33 and 34 respectively of the fitting. The inner end of the choke 34 serves as a seat for the ball check valve 35 which valve permits flow of fluid In only one way through the sleeve. In some cases it may be desirable to eliminate this check valve, dependng upon the particular installation desired; however, in washing a well this valve has been found to be particularly satisfactory in that entry of the washing fluid to the casing is eliminated, thereby preventing cutting out of the casing by the wash fluids.

A pin 36 is provided in the ported fitting for preventing the ball check from seating against the opposite choke 33 and closing off flow therethrough.

In practicing the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 10, the tool is lowered and anchored in position adjacent the perforation or opening 27, the anchoring being accomplished as heretofore discussed. As fluids are passed from the casing annulus through the opening, they are received in the fitting and directed upwardly longitudh nally of the axis of opening 30, thus eliminating cutting action on the sleeve 29 and on the wall face of the well pipe opposite opening 27. The arrangement and construction of the fitting in the body of the tool directs the flow so as to minimize the cutting action of the incoming Well or other fluids.

If it is desired to remove the tool from the well pipe for any purpose, the pin 15 may be sheared as previously explained and the tool removed.

Still another form of the invention is illustrated in Fig. of the drawings. In this form of the invention the upper end of the hollow sleeve 29 may be formed in any number of ways, several of which are shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings.

In some instances it may be desirable to pack olf a certain section of the well string while simultaneously continuing a flow upwardly through the Well string. To this end, the invention can be practiced by eliminating the ported fitting 31 which communicates with opening 30 in the sleeve 29 whereby the sleeve 29 is as illustrated in Fig. 5 of the invention. Any well fluids entering perforation 27 act on packers 53 and 54 to aid in packing off the perforate section of the well pipe from that portion above and below the packed off section.

Passage 36 extending through the body communicates the pipe 19 above the packer means 51 with the pipe string 20 below the packer means 52 without hindering or interfering with the pack off of the perforation 27 in the pipe string.

In practicing the invention illustrated in Fig. 5 the tool is lowered and anchored in position in the coupling recess 24 so as to provide spaced packer means for straddling the perforate section of the well pipe, which section is illustrated as having the perforation 27 therein. The packers '50 and 51 prevent communication between such perforate section and the flow column in the well string 20", while opening 30 communicates the portion 20 of the pipe string 20" below such pack off with the portion 19 of the pipe string 20" above the pack olf.

If it is desired to remove the packer tool from the well pipe for any purpose, the pin 15 may be sheared as previously explained and the tool removed.

A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings. In producing a well by means of gas lift, valve means must be associated'with the well string for communicating gas from the casing annulus 60 to the production string of pipe 20". To this end, a plurality of valves have been positioned heretofore in special fittings either internally or externally of the pipe 20" as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

A great deal of expense is involved in removing the pipe 20" from the well bore, connecting the fittings and valve means thereto at spaced intervals and replacing the pipe in the well bore. The present invention provides a tool whereby special fittings in, or on the pipe string are eliminated and the valve means readily positioned in a. coupling recess. Also the present invention can be used to substitute for a valve that may be damaged to the extent that it is no longer useful in regulating the flow of an aerating medium, without the necessity of pulling the well pipe and repairing or replacing the damaged valve.

Reference is made to Fig. 3 of the drawings wherein the upper end 61 of body extension 29 is provided with a connection which is a part of body 2 and having passages 62 communicating with passage 30 in body 3. Similarly openings 63 are provided in such body connection for conducting 'a pressure medium such as gas for acting on a valve means 64. Valve means 64 controls the admission of the lifting fluid or gas to the production pipe 20" and may be of any suitable type which are well known in modern gas lift. For example the valve means 64 may be pressure loaded by spring means or fluid means so .that a certain force must be exerted there- 8 against before the valve will open to admit aerating fluid such as gas from the casing annulus 60 to the tubing 20".

The means of communication between openings 63 and the casing annulus 60 whereby gas may be supplied to act on the valve and be passed into the tubing may be through a damaged valve illustrated at 65, or communication may be established by means of perforations 27 as shown in Fig. 2. Packing means 51 and 52 are provided on the body to straddle the opening from the tubing to the casing annulus as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. In this manner communication between the casing annulus and interior of tubing 20" is effected only through valve means 64. Body passages 30 and 62 communicate the upper and lower part of the tubing string on each side of the packers whereby well fluids may accumulate in the production string and flowed therefrom with the gas from casing annulus 60 to be more fully described hereafter.

Generally, in gas lift installations, a packer 67 is provided in the lower end of the well bore between tubing 20" and casing 68. This forms a reservoir or casing annulus 60 for receiving aerating medium such as gas whereby such medium may be passed to the tubing either through perforations 27 or through damaged valve 65, depending upon the installation.

The lower end of the tubing 20" is provided with means 70 whereby well fluids may pass into such tubing from the producing formations. As the well fluids accumulate in the tubing 20", it is desirable to flow them to the surface and to this end, a quantity of gas may be supplied to casing annulus 60 by intermitting means well known in the art.

If a valve in an installed gas lift installation has been damaged or cut out, which is not uncommon, the present invention may be lowered into the tubing 20" and the anchor means actuated as before described. A suitable number of extensions 29 are provided so that when the valve mechanism is anchored in the coupling adjacent the damaged valve, packers 51 and 52 straddle the opening from such damaged valve whereby gas from the casing annulus may be conducted to the opening 63 and thence to valve means 64 mounted on end 61 of the body 3, which valve communicates with openings 63. The pressure from casing annulus 60, acting through passage 63 actuates the valve whereupon the gas is discharged by means of opening 72 in valve 64 and into the tubing 20" so as to flow the fluids accumulated in .the well tubing. Figs. 1 and 3 illustrate the invention used in this manner.

The present invention also contemplates a gas lift installation wherein a plurality of valves are positioned in the pipe string at predetermined intervals in recesses in such pipe string. This form of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, wherein the arrangement of the devices may be as illustrated at 74 and 75. Of course, any number of devices may be provided in the tubing string 20" depending upon well conditions.

The anchoring of the valve mechanism is similar to that previously described and a fishing neck may be provided on the valve as illustrated at 76 whereby the mechanism may be retreived by engaging neck 76 and shearing pin 15.

From the foregoing, it is seen that a valve construction is provided wherein such construction can be positioned relative to a recess in a pipe string with packing means provided for straddle sealing a communication between the pipe string and a casing annulus whereby gas from the casing annulus may be passed to the valve means and thence to the pipe string to flow accumulated well fluids therefrom.

In some instances the valve mechanism for gas lift may assume that form illustrated in Figs. 4 and 10. It is to be noted that both valve forms allow one way communication between the tubing and easing which eliminates cutting action on the casing when wash fluid is pumped down :the tubing.

The present application is a continuation in part of my prior copending application now abandoned, bearing Serial No. 311,368, filed September 25, 1952, for the same invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A well anchor for anchoring in a recess of a string of pipe in a well bore comprising, a body, a finger pivotally mounted in said body, resilient means engaging said finger and tending to urge it outwardly of said body, retaining means for maintaining said finger in retracted position as said body is lowered in the string of pipe, said retaining means projecting relative to said body, shear means engaged with said retaining means and shearable upon upward movement of said body in the well string whereby said retaining means is released from engagement with said finger and said finger is urged outwardly of said body to engage in the recess and position said body in the well string, and a second finger mounted in said body and extending in an opposite direction relative to said first mentioned finger, resilient means engaging said second finger and urging it outwardly of said body for engaging in the recess to help position said body in the well string.

2. A well anchor for anchoring in a recess of a string of pipe in a well bore comprising, a body, a finger pivotally mounted in said body, resilient means engaging said finger and tending to urge it outwardly of said body, retaining means for maintaining said finger in retracted position as said body is lowered in the string of pipe, said retaining means projecting outwardly beyond the periphery of said body, shear means engaged with said retaining means and shearable upon upward movement of said body in the well string whereby said retaining means is released from engagement with said finger and said finger is urged outwardly of said body to engage in the recess and position said body in the well string, a second finger mounted in said body and extending in an opposite direction relative to said first mentioned finger, resilient means engaging said second finger and urging it outwardly of said body for engaging in the recess to help position said body in the well string, shear means engaged with said second finger shearable upon upward movement of said body whereby said second finger retracts from the recess and the anchor may be removed from the well string.

3. A well anchor for anchoring in a recess of a string of pipe in a well bore comprising, a body, a finger pivotally mounted in said body, resilient means engaging said finger and tending to urge it outwardly of said body, retaining means for maintaining said finger in retracted positions as said body is lowered in the string of pipe, said retaining means including shear means shearable upon upward movement of said body in the well string whereby said resilient means urges said finger outwardly of said body to engage in the recess and position said body in the well string, and a second finger pivotally mounted in said body and extending in an opposite direction relative to said first mentioned finger, resilient means engaging said second finger and urging it outwardly of said body for engaging in the recess to help position said body in the well string.

4. A well anchor for anchoring in a recess of a string of pipe in a well bore comprising, a body, a finger pivotally mounted in said body, resilient means engaging said finger and tending to urge it outwardly of said body, re taining means for maintaining said finger in retracted position as said body is lowered in the string o pipe, said retaining means including shear means shearable upon upward movement of said body in the well string where by said resilient means urges said finger outwardly of said body to engage in the recess and position said body in the well string, and a second finger mounted in said body and extending in an opposite direction relative to said first mentioned finger, resilient means engaging said second finger and urging it outwardly of said body for 1Q engaging in the recess to help position said body in the well string, and shear means engaged with said second finger shearable upon upward movement whereby the anchor may be removed from the well string.

5. A well anchor for positioning in a recess in a string of well pipe comprising a body, a member pivotally mounted on said body, resilient means tending to move said member to engage in the recess, means restraining said member from being moved by said resilient means in the recess, said restraining means including shear means shearable upon movement of said body whereupon said resilient means moves said member into the recess, a second member pivotally mounted on said body, and resilient means acting to move said second member outwardly from said body to engage in the recess to help position said body in the string of pipe.

6. A well anchor for positioning in a recess in a string of well pipe comprising a body, a member, means pivotally supporting said member relative to said body, resilient means tending to move said member to engage in the recess, shear means restraining actuation of said member by said resilient means, said shear means shearable whereupon said resilient means actuates said member to move it into the recess, a second member, means pivotally supporting said second member relative to said body, said second member projecting in an opposite direction relative to said first mentioned member, and resilient means acting to move said second member outwardly from said body to engage in the recess to help position said body in the well pipe.

7. A well anchor for anchoring in a recess in a string of pipe in a well bore comprising a body, a member pivotally mounted on said body, resilient means engaging said member and tending to move it outwardly of said body, shear means retaining said member retracted, means abutting said member and extending outwardly of said body, said abutting means engageable in said recess whereby upward movement of said body in the well string moves said abutting means so as to shear said shear means and release said member, a second member mounted on said body and extending in an opposite direction relative to said first mentioned member, and resilient means engaging said second finger and urging it outwardly of said body for engaging in the recess to help position said body in the well string.

8. A flow device for positioning in a recess of a pipe string in a well bore for conveying a flow medium to well fluids in the pipe string comprising, a body, means pivotally mounted on said body and projecting downwardly relative to said body for engagement in the recess in the string of well pipe, additional means pivotally mounted on said body and projecting upwardly relative to said body for engagement in the same recess in the well pipe whereby said body is positioned in the well pipe, spring means abutting each said downwardly and upwardly projecting means for urging each said downwardly and upwardly projecting means outwardly of said body and into the recess, there being an opening extending longitudinally of said body for the passage of well fluids therethrough, and there being a second opening in said body for the passage of a flow medium to said longitudinal opening, said second body opening being formed in said body so as to direct the flow medium in a predetermined manner longitudinally of said body, and valve means on said body and communicated with said second body opening for conveying the flow medium through said body to the well fluids in the string of pipe.

9. A flow device for positioning in a recess of a pipe string in a well bore for conveying a flow medium to well fluids in the pipe string comprising a body, a member pivotally mounted on said body, resilient means tending to move said member to engage in the recess, shearable means engaged with said member and restraining it from being moved to the recess, a second member pivotally mounted on said body and projecting in an opposite direction relative to said first mentioned member, and resilient means acting to move said second member to engage in the recess to help position said body in the well pipe, therebeing an opening extending longitudinally of said body for the passage of well fluids therethrough, and there being a second opening in said body for the passage of a flow medium to said longitudinal opening, said second body opening being formed in said body so as to direct the flow medium in a predetermined manner 1ongitudinally of said body, and valve means on said body and communicated with said second body opening for conveying the flow medium through said body to the well fluids in the string of pipe.

10. A flow device for positioning in a recess of a pipe string in a Well bore for conveying a flow medium to well fluids in the pipe string comprising a body, a member pivotally mounted on said body, resilient means tending to move said member to engage in the recess, shearable means engaged with said member and restraining it from being moved to the recess, a second member pivotally mounted on said body and projecting in an opposite direction relative to said first mentioned member, and resilient means acting to move said second member to engage in the recess to help position said body in the well pipe, there being an opening extending longitudinally of said body for the passage of well fluids therethrough, and there being a second opening in said body for the passage of a flow medium to said longitudinal opening, said second body opening being formed in said body so as to direct the flow medium in a predetermined manner longitudinally of said body, and pressure responsive means on said body and communicated with said second body opening for conveying the flow medium through said body to the well fluids in the string of pipe.

11. A flow device for positioning in a recess of a pipe string in a well bore for conveying a flow medium to well fluids in the pipe string comprising a body, a member pivotally mounted on said body, resilient means tending to move said member to engage in the recess, shearable means engaged with said member and restraining it from being moved to the recess, a second member pivotally mounted on said body and projecting in anopposite direction relative to said first mentioned member, and resilient means acting to move said second member to engage in the recess to help position said body in the Well pipe, there being an opening extending longitudinally of said body for the passage of well fluids therethrough, and there being a second opening in said body for the passage of a flow medium to said longitudinal opening, said second body opening being formed in said body so as to direct the flow medium in a predetermined manner longitudinally of said body, and one way opening valve means on said body and communicated with said second body opening for conveying the flow medium through said body to the well fluids in the string of pipe.

12. A well anchor for positioning in a recess in well pipe comprising a body, finger means carried by said body and pivotally supported for movement outwardly relative to said body, resilient means tending to move said finger means to engage in the recess, means including shear means acting to restrain said resilient means from moving said finger means outwardly relative to said body, said shear means shearable upon movement of said restraining means relative to said body whereupon said resilient means urges said finger means into the recess, second finger means carried by said body and pivotally supported for movement outwardly relative to said body, and resilient means acting to move said second member outwardly relative to said body to engage in the recess to anchor in the Well pipe.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,476,727 Quigg Dec. 11, 1923 1,560,815 Hill Nov. 10, 1925 1,835,377 Clark et al. Dec. 8, 1931 2,121,050 Ragan et a1. June 21, 1938 2,148,592 Taylor Feb. 28, 1939 2,160,357 Hammer May 30, 1939 2,191,750 Brown Feb. 27, 1940 2,199,020 Barrett et a1. Apr. 30, 1940 2,229,325 Greene Jan. 21, 1941 2,246,811 Otis June 24, 1941 2,393,404 Otis Jan. 22, 1946 2,540,122 Kiniey Feb. 6, 1951 2,566,323 Forsyth et al. Sept. 4, 1951 2,571,478 Otis Oct. 16, 1951 2,613,746 Whitney Oct. 14, 1952 2,618,345 Tucker Nov. 18, 1952 2,667,928 Baker Feb. 2, 1954 

